Empress Zhangde facts for kids

Empress Dou (竇皇后, born 63 CE, died 97 CE) was an empress of the Chinese Han dynasty. She was also known as Empress Zhangde, which means "the polite and virtuous empress." Her husband was Emperor Zhang. Empress Dou was very powerful during her husband's rule. She became even more influential as an empress dowager and regent for her adopted son, Emperor He, from 88 to 92 CE. Her family, especially her brother Dou Xian, gained a lot of power. However, they lost their influence in a sudden change of power led by Emperor He in 92 CE. Empress Dou kept her respected title until her death, but she no longer had political power.

Her Family and Background

Empress Dou's father was Dou Xun (竇勳). He was the grandson of a well-known official named Dou Rong (竇融). Her mother was Princess Piyang (沘陽公主). Princess Piyang's father was Liu Jiang (劉疆), the Prince of Donghai. He was a very respected older brother to Emperor Ming. He was also the first crown prince of Emperor Guangwu. This is why Princess Piyang was a princess, even though her father was not an emperor. The Dou family was very important, which is why Dou Xun could marry a princess. Sadly, her father, Dou Xun, later got into trouble and died.

Marriage and Palace Life

Lady Dou became one of Emperor Zhang's wives in 77 CE. She was his favorite, and he made her empress in 78 CE.

Empress Dou was a strong-willed woman. She quickly became involved in power struggles with other wives in the palace. She took full control of the palace, deciding who got rewards and who faced punishment.

Emperor Zhang's adoptive mother, Empress Dowager Ma, had chosen two sisters from the Song family to be Emperor Zhang's wives. In 78 CE, the older sister, Consort Song, had a son named Liu Qing (劉慶). Since Empress Dou did not have a son, Prince Qing was made the crown prince in 79 CE. The Song sisters were much liked by Empress Dowager Ma until she passed away in 79 CE.

Later in 79 CE, Empress Dou decided to adopt the son of another imperial wife, Consort Liang. This son was Liu Zhao (劉肇). Empress Dou, along with her mother and brothers, planned to make her adopted son the new crown prince. After Empress Dowager Ma died, Empress Dou put her plan into action. She had her brothers collect information about any mistakes made by the Song family. She also paid servants and eunuchs to find faults with the Song sisters.

In 82 CE, Empress Dou found an opportunity. The elder Consort Song became ill and wanted a special herb called cuscuta. She asked her family to bring it to her. Empress Dou took the herb and falsely accused Consort Song of using it for magic. Emperor Zhang was very angry and sent Crown Prince Qing away from the palace. He had the Song sisters arrested and questioned. The Song sisters realized they were in great danger and sadly died. Crown Prince Qing was no longer the crown prince. He was given the title Prince of Qinghe instead. Prince Zhao became the new crown prince. However, Prince Zhao was kind to his brother, and they often spent time together.

The Song sisters were not the only ones to suffer. After Prince Zhao became crown prince, his birth mother's family, the Liangs, were quietly happy. When the Dou family heard this, they became worried. They felt they needed to get rid of the Liangs. Empress Dou started spreading false stories about Prince Zhao's birth mother, Consort Liang, and her sister. Because of this, they lost Emperor Zhang's favor. In 83 CE, the Dou family also made false accusations against the Consorts Liang's father, Liang Song (梁竦). He sadly died in prison. The Consorts Liang died from sadness and fear.

The Dou family gained even more power through these actions. Also in 83 CE, Emperor Zhang noticed that his cousins from the Ma family were not following the rules. He stopped favoring his Ma uncles and eventually sent them back to their homes. Empress Dou's brothers, Dou Xian and Dou Du (竇篤), became very powerful. This was the first time in Han history that the empress's family, not the empress dowager's family, held so much power. This became a common problem in the Eastern Han Dynasty, leading to corruption. In 83 CE, Emperor Zhang was angry at Dou Xian's proud behavior and threatened to execute him. Empress Dou dressed simply and apologized for Dou Xian, which made Emperor Zhang spare him.

As Empress Dowager and Regent

In 88 CE, Emperor Zhang passed away. Crown Prince Zhao became Emperor He at the age of nine. Empress Dou, now the empress dowager, became the regent. This meant she ruled the country until Emperor He was old enough. Her brothers, Dou Xian, Dou Du, Dou Jing (竇景), and Dou Gui (竇瑰), all became important officials. Dou Gui was humble, but the other three, especially Dou Xian, were very proud. They used their connection to the empress dowager to scare other officials.

Late in 88 CE, Dou Xian committed a serious act. Liu Chang (劉暢), a respected noble, was liked by Empress Dowager Dou for his intelligence. Dou Xian worried that Liu Chang would take away his power. So, he had Liu Chang sadly killed and tried to blame Liu Chang's brother. However, some brave judges investigated thoroughly, and Dou Xian's involvement was discovered. Empress Dowager Dou was furious and had Dou Xian arrested. Dou Xian offered to lead an army against the North Xiongnu (a group of northern people who often caused trouble) to make up for his actions.

Empress Dowager Dou agreed. Dou Xian led the army and won a great victory against the North Xiongnu in 89 CE. After this big military success, he became even more proud, and Empress Dowager Dou allowed it. He had another major victory over the North Xiongnu in 91 CE, almost completely defeating them. As a result, Dou Xian controlled the government so much that any official who disagreed with him faced being removed from their position or even worse.

However, in 92 CE, the Dou family suddenly lost their power. The exact details are not fully clear, but it seems that Emperor He, perhaps encouraged by his brother Prince Qing (whose mother had suffered because of the Dou family) and a trusted eunuch named Zheng Zhong (鄭眾), gave sudden orders. He told the imperial guards to arrest Dou Xian's friends and execute them. He sent Dou Xian and his brothers back to their homes. Eventually, he ordered them to end their own lives, except for Dou Gui. Empress Dowager Dou remained empress dowager, but she lost all her political power.

After the Dou Family Lost Power

Emperor He did not know that Empress Dowager Dou was not his birth mother. He continued to honor and respect her, even though she no longer had any real power after her brothers fell. After she died in 97 CE at the age of 34, it became known that he was actually the son of Consort Liang. Emperor He honored Consort Liang after her death and gave her family power and wealth. However, he refused a suggestion to lower Empress Dowager Dou's status after her death. Instead, she was buried with full imperial honors, next to her husband Emperor Zhang.